Its jaws were pried apart to their greatest extension, and a stout stake, sharpened at both ends, was so inserted that when the pries were removed the spread jaws were fixed upon it.

This accomplished, the hook was cut out.

The shark dropped back into the sea, helpless, yet with its full strength, doomed--to lingering starvation--a living death less meet for it than for the man who devised the punishment..